GCSE Dance Specification by Ullswater Community College

GCSE DANCE

Get help and support Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/8236 You can talk directly to the dance subject team

(8236)

E: aqadance@aqa.org.uk T: 01483 437 750

Specification For teaching from September 2016 onwards For exams in 2018 onwards Version 1.0 11 March 2016

aqa.org.uk

G00635

Copyright ÂŠ 2016 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. AQA retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, schools and colleges registered with AQA are permitted to copy material from this specification for their own internal use. AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

Contents 1 Introduction

1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Dance 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach

2 Specification at a glance

5 6

2.1 Subject content 2.2 Assessments

9 9

3 Subject content

3.1 Performance 3.2 Choreography 3.3 Dance appreciation

11 15 18

4 Scheme of assessment

4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 4.2 Assessment components 4.3 Assessment objectives 4.4 Assessment weightings 4.5 Assessment grids

21 22 27 27 28

5 Non-exam assessment administration 35 5.1 Supervising and authenticating 5.2 Submitting NEA evidence and marks to AQA 5.3 Avoiding malpractice 5.4 Teacher standardisation 5.5 Internal standardisation 5.6 Factors affecting individual students 5.7 School and college consortia 5.8 After moderation

6 General administration

35 35 36 36 36 37 37 37

6.1 Entries and codes 6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 6.4 Re-sits and shelf life 6.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 6.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 6.7 Working with AQA for the first time 6.8 Private candidates

39 39 39 40 40 40 41 41

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Are you using the latest version of this specification? â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Dance An exciting and diverse specification We've worked with dance teachers and subject experts to create a qualification that gives you the freedom to create lessons that will inspire and motivate all your students. Dance is a powerful and expressive subject which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject. This specification recognises the role of dance in young peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and students will study a range of dance styles and style fusions. Apart from the solo performance, they can choose any style in which to perform and choreograph, providing it meets the assessment criteria. The study of the anthology of professional works will develop their ability to critically appraise professional dance works and provide a springboard for engaging in practical tasks.

Clear, well-structured exams, accessible for all We realise most GCSE Dance students choose dance for the practical rather than theoretical focus. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why our written assessment is clear, well-structured and easy for students to understand. Students will enjoy the variety of question styles, which include multiple choice, short and extended answer.

Marking you can trust Your students will receive the grade that fairly represents their achievement and skills.

Clear progression to A-level, higher education and beyond We've bridged the gap between GCSE, AS and A-level, giving your students the skills and experience to better prepare them for the demands of AS and A-level if they choose to progress with their study. You can find out about all our Dance qualifications at aqa.org.uk/dance

A specification designed for you and your students We have worked closely with teachers to design our specification to inspire, challenge and motivate every student, no matter what their level of ability, while supporting you in developing creative and engaging lessons. This specification focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the symbolic use of movement to express and communicate ideas and concepts through the interrelated processes of performance, choreography and appreciation. Dance is a powerful and empowering form of nonverbal communication and it is both physical and expressive, which makes it similar to and different from other art forms and physical activities. Dance develops creative, imaginative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities.

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This specification acknowledges the important role that dance plays in young people’s lives. Whilst many students will bring some previous experience of dance, others will have very little. This specification aims to value and build on whatever experience they have. GCSE students will study a range of dance styles which acknowledge aspects of the repertoire of dance that can be seen in the United Kingdom today.

Skills-based approach The practical component of the course enables students to study dance by ‘doing’ and the anthology of professional works will provide a springboard for the development of creative and engaging practical tasks. The study of the anthology will facilitate the development of students’ skills in performance and choreography as well as broadening their knowledge and understanding of dance and ability to critically appraise dances of different styles and cultural influences.

We're behind you every step of the way Our mark schemes and marking processes have been developed to ensure that the assessment is fair and consistent. Rest assured, your students will receive the grade that fairly represents their attainment and skills.

1.2 Support and resources to help you teach We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.

Teaching resources We have a comprehensive range of dance resources. Visit aqa.org.uk/8236 to see all our teaching resources. They include: • schemes of work: a variety of ideas to help you plan your course with confidence • good practice guides: to help you to inspire and challenge students to think creatively • exemplification materials: to showcase sets of marked students' work supported by senior moderator commentaries and guidance.

Support service • Teacher standardisation: our teacher online standardisation (T-OLS) system allows teachers and whole departments to work through exemplar and standardisation material quickly and easily. • Dance advisory service: each school or college is allocated a subject adviser. You can contact him/her for one-to-one advice on any aspect of the subject, assessment and/or support with planning and delivery of course content. • Subject community: provides access to free resources and services offered by many dance organisations and universities. • Support meetings: to help you with course delivery; offering practical teaching strategies and approaches that really work. • Teacher network group: allows teachers to contact colleagues at other schools/colleges to share ideas about resources and teaching strategies for the AQA specification. • Training courses: to help you deliver AQA dance qualifications. • Subject expertise courses: for all teachers, from newly-qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration. 6 Visit for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration

AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

To find out more about our support service visit aqa.org.uk/dance

Preparing for exams Visit aqa.org.uk/8236 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including: • • • •

past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions exemplar student answers with examiner commentaries.

Analyse your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA) Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results

Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development Wherever you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As well as subjectspecific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills. • Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements. • Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management courses. You can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online – whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at coursesandevents.aqa.org.uk

Help and support available Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/8236 If you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails and updates at aqa.org.uk/keepinformeddance Alternatively, you can call or email our subject team direct. E: aqadance@aqa.org.uk T: 01483 437 750

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

2 Specification at a glance This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

2.1 Subject content Core content 1. Performance (page 11) 2. Choreography (page 15) 3. Dance appreciation (page 18)

2.2 Assessments Students must complete both assessment components. Component 1: Performance and choreography What's assessed Performance • Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately one minute in duration) • Duet/trio performance (three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five minutes in duration) Choreography • Solo or group choreography – a solo (two to two and a half minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes) How it's assessed Internally marked and externally moderated Performance • 30% of GCSE • 40 marks Choreography • 30% of GCSE • 40 marks Total component 60% Non-exam assessment (NEA) marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.

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Component 2: Dance appreciation What's assessed • Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills • Critical appreciation of own work • Critical appreciation of professional works How it's assessed • 40% of GCSE • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes • 80 marks Questions Based on students' own practice in performance and choreography and the GCSE Dance anthology.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

3 Subject content The subject content details the knowledge, understanding and skills that students are expected to learn during the course of study. This is set out below in three core areas of dance: performance, choreography and appreciation. The GCSE Dance Anthology The GCSE Dance Anthology underpins learning across each of the three core areas. The anthology's mix of artistic, cultural and aesthetically diverse works, has been selected to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of the wide range of dance choreographed and performed in the United Kingdom today. The anthology consists of six short professional dance works (page 18) each between 12 and 30 minutes duration. There is a filmed interview with the choreographer or company associate, which explores the choreographic approach of the choreographer and the defining characteristics of each work. Students must study all six works. Together the six works include: • • • • • • • • •

different dance styles and fusions of style a selection of established and emerging choreographers different numbers and combinations of dancers a variety of choreographic approaches different choreographic structures a variety of types of performance environment a variety of aural settings inclusive dance dance influenced by other cultures.

Study of the works can inspire students to develop their own performance, creative and choreographic practice, at the same time as the knowledge, understanding and analytical skills required for critical appreciation. The anthology should be used as an effective way to support the integration of theory and practice. The GCSE Dance Anthology, with details of all six professional works, including films of each performance and interviews with the choreographer or company associate, is available at aqa.org.uk/dance

3.1 Performance Students must develop and apply the following knowledge, understanding and skills to perform dance as a soloist for approximately one minute and in a duet/trio for a minimum of three minutes. The total duration of a student’s performance must be no less than three and a half minutes.

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Knowledge, understanding and skills for performance Physical skills and attributes, including:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Technical skills, including:

• action content (eg travel, turn, elevation, gesture, stillness, use of different body parts, floor work, transfer of weight) • dynamic content (eg fast/slow, sudden/ sustained, acceleration/deceleration, strong/light, direct/indirect, flowing/abrupt) • spatial content (eg pathways, levels, directions, size of movement, patterns, spatial design) • relationship content - for duet/trio performance only (eg lead and follow, mirroring, action and reaction, accumulation, complement and contrast, counterpoint, contact, formations) • timing content • rhythmic content • movement in a stylistically accurate way.

Expressive skills, including:

• • • • •

posture alignment balance coordination control flexibility mobility strength stamina extension isolation.

projection focus spatial awareness facial expression phrasing.

For duet/trio performance only: • musicality • sensitivity to other dancers • communication of choreographic intent, including mood(s), meaning(s), idea(s), theme(s) and/or style/style fusion(s). Mental skills and attributes (during performance), including:

• • • •

movement memory commitment concentration confidence.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

Knowledge, understanding and skills for performance Safe working practices (during performance), including:

• safe execution • appropriate dancewear, including: • footwear • hairstyle • absence of jewellery.

Mental skills and attributes (process), including:

• • • • • •

systematic repetition mental rehearsal rehearsal discipline planning of rehearsal response to feedback capacity to improve.

Safe working practices (process), including:

• • • •

warming up cooling down nutrition hydration.

3.1.1 Solo performance Students must learn how to perform as a solo dancer for approximately one minute. In conjunction with the student, the teacher must select two of the following set phrases for each student to perform as a soloist, from the choice of four set by AQA. The titles of the set phrases are as follows: • • • •

breathe flux shift scoop.

Assessment of the solo performance will focus on the student's ability to demonstrate application of: • • • •

physical skills and attributes safely during performance technical skills accurately and safely during performance expressive skills mental skills and attributes during performance.

In the assessed performance, the two phrases must be presented separately (not be linked together), but can be presented in any order. They must be performed to an audible beat of 105 BPM. They may not be performed to any other accompaniment. See Assessment task 1: Performance (page 22) for details of the assessment and Solo performance assessment grid (page 30) for how it must be marked. Recordings of the four set phrases, each lasting approximately 30 seconds, are available to view at aqa.org.uk/dance along with the teacher's notes.

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3.1.2 Duet/trio performance Students must learn how to perform as part of a duet/trio dance. Each student must perform for a minimum of three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five minutes in duration. The duet/trio dance may be choreographed by teacher(s), dance artist(s) or by collaboration between teacher(s) and/or dance artist(s) and students. The duet/trio performance must have a clearly identified choreographic intent, which relates to mood(s), meaning(s), idea(s), theme(s) and/or style/style fusion(s) or a combination of these. The action, dynamic and spatial elements of the remaining two set phrases from the choice of four set by AQA must be developed to generate dance content for the duet/trio performance and to realise the chosen choreographic intent. It is not essential for the phrases in their original form to be included either in whole or in part in the resulting duet/trio, but they could be if this helps to realise the chosen choreographic intent. The two phrases that have been used in a student’s solo performance must not be used again in their duet/trio performance. The final performance for assessment must clearly reflect the defined choreographic intent, and ensure coverage of the performance content (page 11) in a duet/trio context. This must include: • opportunities for students to demonstrate the additional knowledge, skills and understanding specific to duet/trio performances ie relationship content, musicality and sensitivity to other dancers • opportunities for students to demonstrate safe practice at a challenging level, eg physical contact and interaction with other dancers, elevations, moving into and out of the floor at speed • an appropriate aural setting. Assessment of the duet/trio performance will focus on each students' ability to demonstrate application of: • • • •

physical skills and attributes safely during performance technical skills accurately and safely during performance expressive skills mental skills and attributes during performance.

The dance content of the piece presented for assessment must be of sufficient sophistication, complexity and challenge to allow each student to access the full range of marks available. Please refer to the online exemplification material available at aqa.org.uk/dance for marked examples of duet/trio choreography.

3.1.2.1 Documenting the duet/trio performance To support assessors' marking of the duet/trio performance, teachers must provide a Programme note (approximately 150 words). The Programme note must include the following information: • the choreographic intent, eg the idea(s), theme(s), mood(s), meaning and/or style/style fusion(s) of the dance • the phrases that have been used for each student in the creation of the piece • citations of title and musician/artist for any aural accompaniment used. Please see Assessment task 1: Performance (page 22) for further details of the Programme note (page 23) and assessment.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

Students must be assessed individually within the piece performed, using Duet/trio performance assessment grid (page 31). Students will also be required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of performance skills by responding to questions in the critical appreciation (Component 2) written exam.

3.2 Choreography Students must learn how to respond creatively to an externally set stimulus, to choreograph their own complete dance. The dance created must be either: • a solo dance of a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of two and a half minutes or • a group dance of a minimum of three minutes and a maximum of three and a half minutes for two to five dancers. which: • includes a chosen aural setting • can be in any style or style fusion(s) (as long as it meets the assessment criteria) • communicates their own chosen choreographic intention. The student is not required to perform in their choreographed dance but may do so if they wish. To create their own dance, students must know, understand and be able to apply the following, as appropriate to their choreography: Knowledge, understanding and skills for choreography Action content, including:

• • • • • • • •

travel turn elevation gesture stillness use of different body parts floor work transfer of weight.

Dynamic content, including:

• • • • • •

fast/slow sudden/sustained acceleration/deceleration strong/light direct/indirect flowing/abrupt.

Spatial content, including:

• • • • • •

pathways levels directions size of movement patterns spatial design.

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Knowledge, understanding and skills for choreography Relationship content, including:

• • • • • • • •

lead and follow mirroring action and reaction accumulation complement and contrast counterpoint contact formations.

Choreographic processes, including:

• • • • • • •

researching improvising generating selecting developing structuring refining and synthesising.

Structuring devices and form, including:

• • • • • • • • •

binary ternary rondo narrative episodic beginning/middle/end unity logical sequence transitions.

Choreographic devices, including:

• • • • • • •

motif and development repetition contrast highlights climax manipulation of number unison and canon.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

Knowledge, understanding and skills for choreography Aural settings (and how they affect choreographic outcomes), including:

Aural settings: • • • • • • • •

song instrumental orchestral spoken word silence natural sound found sound body percussion.

Effects on choreographic outcomes: • • • •

mood and atmosphere contrast and variety structure relationship to theme/idea.

Performance environments, including:

• proscenium arch • end stage • site-sensitive (ie designed for non-theatre spaces) • in-the-round.

Communication of choreographic intent, including:

• • • • •

mood(s) meaning(s) idea(s) theme(s) style/style fusion(s).

Students will also be required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of choreographic skills by responding to questions in the critical appreciation (Component 2) written exam.

3.2.1 Documenting the choreography To support assessors' marking of the choreography, students must write a Programme note of approximately 120–150 words. The Programme note must include the following information: • the choice of the set assessment stimulus to which the student responded, and the specific stimulus (eg poem, painting etc) that the student used • a description of how the choreographic intent of the work eg the idea(s), theme(s), mood(s), meaning(s) and/or style/style fusion(s) of the dance was achieved • citations of title and musician/artist for any aural accompaniment used. Please see Assessment task 2: Choreography (page 24) for details of the assessment task. Students must be assessed using the Choreography assessment grid (40 marks) (page 33).

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3.3 Dance appreciation Through written communication and use of appropriate terminology, students must be able to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate their own work in performance and choreography and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of professional practice in the six set works in the GCSE Dance Anthology. Dance appreciation is assessed through a written exam of one and a half hours duration. Please refer to Component 2: Dance appreciation (page 26) for more information about the structure of the written exam.

3.3.1 Critical appreciation of own work To critically appreciate their own performance and choreography, through describing, analysing, interpreting, evaluating and reflecting, students must know and understand: Knowledge and understanding of critical appreciation of own work Performance

• the meaning of the relevant performance terminology in 3.1 Performance (page 11) • the contribution of performance to audience understanding of the choreographic intent of the work being performed including the mood(s), meaning(s), idea(s), theme(s) and/or style/ style fusion(s).

Choreography

• the meaning of relevant choreography terminology in 3.2 Choreography (page 15) • the contribution of choreography to audience understanding of the choreographic intent of the work including the mood(s), meaning(s), idea(s), theme(s) and/or style/style fusion(s).

3.3.2 Critical appreciation of professional set works The GCSE Dance Anthology provides the focus for learning how to critically appreciate professional set works. The anthology contains the following professional set works: Dance work

Dance company

Choreographer

Artificial Things

Stopgap Dance Company

Lucy Bennett

A Linha Curva

Rambert Dance Company

Itzik Galili

Infra

The Royal Ballet

Wayne McGregor

Shadows

Phoenix Dance Theatre

Christopher Bruce

Within Her Eyes

James Cousins Company

James Cousins

Emancipation of Expressionism Boy Blue Entertainment

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Kenrick H2O Sandy

AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

Students must study all six works in their entirety and be prepared to describe, analyse, interpret, evaluate and reflect on the works in response to short answer and extended writing questions. The GCSE Dance Anthology, with details of all six professional works, including films of each performance and interviews with the choreographer or company associate, is available at aqa.org.uk/dance Students must know and understand the defining characteristics of each set professional work, including: Knowledge and understanding for critical appreciation of professional set works Features of production, including:

• staging/set eg projection, furniture, structures, backdrop, screens and features of these such as colour, texture, shape, decoration, materials • lighting eg colour, placement, direction, angles etc • properties eg size, shape, materials, how used etc • costume (including footwear, masks, make-up and accessories): features such as colour, texture, material, flow, shape, line, weight, decoration and how they define character or gender, identify dancers, enhance or sculpt the body and enhance the action • dancers (number, gender) • aural settings eg song, instrumental, orchestral, spoken word, silence, natural sound, found sound, body percussion, style, structure and musical elements such as tone, pitch and rhythm • dance for camera eg placement, angle, proximity, special effects.

Performance environments, including:

• • • •

Choreographic approaches

proscenium arch end stage site-sensitive in-the-round.

As exemplified in the interview with each choreographer.

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Knowledge and understanding for critical appreciation of professional set works Choreographic content, including:

• movement content (actions, dynamics, space and relationships) as per the knowledge, skills and understanding for choreography specified in Choreography (page 15) • structuring devices and form (binary, ternary, rondo, narrative, episodic, beginning/middle/end, unity, logical sequence, transitions) • choreographic devices (motif and development, repetition, contrast, highlights, climax, manipulation of number, unison and canon).

Choreographic intent, including:

• • • • •

mood(s) meaning(s) idea(s) theme(s) style/style fusion(s).

To critically appreciate professional works through describing, analysing, interpreting, evaluating and reflecting, students must know and understand: • the similarities and differences between the defining characteristics of each dance (as above) • the contribution of choreography (as above), performance and features of production to the audience's understanding of the work • the relationships between choreography, performance and features of production (as above) and the ways in which these have been used together to enhance audience understanding of the choreographic intention • the purpose or significance of different performance environments in which the dance was created and performed.

3.3.3 Changes to GCSE Dance Anthology We do not expect to change the set professional works within the lifetime of the specification. However, the set professional works will be reviewed each year and we will give at least nine months’ notice of any changes prior to first teaching of a two-year course. Notice of any change will be communicated via our exam bulletins and at aqa.org.uk/dance

3.3.4 AQA dance glossary Please refer to the AQA GCSE Dance glossary for meanings of the terms used in this specification at aqa.org.uk/dance

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

4 Scheme of assessment Find past papers and mark schemes, and specimen papers for new courses, on our website at aqa.org.uk/pastpapers This specification is designed to be taken over two years. This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series. GCSE exams and certification for this specification are available for the first time in May/June 2018 and then every May/June for the life of the specification. All materials are available in English only. Our GCSE exams in Dance include questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to: • draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study • provide original practical responses • provide short and extended written responses. Synoptic assessment of GCSE Dance should require students to: • develop a broad understanding of the connections between the knowledge, understanding and skills set out in the specification as a whole • demonstrate their understanding of the relationships between theory and practice.

4.1 Aims and learning outcomes Courses based on this specification should encourage students to: • learn to choreograph, perform and appreciate dance as an art form • inform their development as creative and artistic individuals and broaden their aesthetic, social and cultural experience through a holistic engagement with dance. GCSE specifications in dance must enable students to engage as choreographers through the: • • • •

creative and imaginative response to a range of stimuli use of imagination, problem solving, creativity and the synthesis of ideas application of knowledge, skills and understanding of choreographic forms and devices communication of ideas, feelings, emotions, meanings and moods.

GCSE specifications in dance must enable students to engage as performers through the: • application of knowledge, skills and understanding of performing • development of physical, technical, mental and expressive skills • communication of choreographic intention and artistry. GCSE specifications in dance must enable students to appreciate dance through the: • articulation of knowledge and critical reflection to inform artistic practice • critical appreciation of dance in its physical, artistic, aesthetic and cultural contexts • critical analysis, interpretation, evaluation and appreciation of professional dance works.

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GCSE specifications in dance must enable students to: • • • •

participate in and appreciate dance from more than one style critically appreciate at least two professional works by at least two choreographers work collaboratively with others develop knowledge, skills and understanding of health, well-being and safe and professional practice relevant to dance • improve own work through analysis, critical self-reflection and evaluation.

GCSE specifications in dance must reflect the learning outcomes in the content. GCSE courses based on this specification should encourage students to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. They should prepare students to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices.

4.2 Assessment components Component 1: Performance and choreography 4.2.1.1 Assessment task 1: Performance The performance task is marked out of 40 marks. Each student must complete both parts of the task: • Solo performance (12 marks) • Duet/trio performance (24 marks) A single overall mark out of 4 (in total) is also available for demonstration of each student’s mental skills and attributes shown during the performances. The mark for mental skills and attributes can only be awarded to each student if they provide creditable evidence for both solo and duet/trio performances. A mark for mental skills cannot be awarded to a student if they produce evidence worthy of credit for only one performance. Solo performance Each student must perform the two selected phrases as a soloist in a live performance setting (approximately one minute). If the student’s performance does not contain an attempt to reproduce both set phrases, it will not be accepted as assessment evidence. Teachers must check the final performance for assessment of each student’s work, to ensure it meets these requirements. Duet/trio performance Each student must perform in a duet/trio, in a live performance setting for at least three minutes in a single performance that is no longer than five minutes in duration. The duet/trio must include the specific choreographic requirements detailed in Duet/trio performance (page 14). Administering the performance task Overall if the student’s performance evidence is less than three and a half minutes minutes or the duet/trio performance uses the same set phrases as the solo performance, it will not be accepted as assessment evidence. Teachers must check the final performance for assessment of each student’s work, to ensure it meets these requirements.

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AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

For each student, teachers must also ensure the following requirements are met in administering the final performances for assessment: • the student must have sufficient time to warm up before the final performances for assessment • the final performances for assessment must be performed in a live setting which has been formally risk assessed and deemed safe • the dance created for the duet/trio performance assessment cannot be any that has been created to meet assessment objective 2 (AO2) in the same series • together the performances must allow for full coverage of AO1 and relevant content in every series • for the duet/trio performance the choreographic intent should be determined by teacher/ practitioner but this does not preclude students from contributing to the choreographic process of the duet/trio performance • final performance for assessment must be under controlled supervised conditions. The performances must address the content requirements specified in Performance (page 11) and address the requirements of AO1. Marking the performance task The solo performance is marked out of 12. The duet/trio is marked out of 24. A single overall mark out of 4 is also available for mental skills and attributes during the performances. • The solo performance must be marked according to the Solo performance assessment grid (12 marks) (page 30) criteria. • The individual performance in the duet/ trio must be marked using the Duet/trio performance assessment grid (24 marks) (page 31) criteria. • To determine the mark for demonstration of mental skills and attributes during performance, use the Mental skills and attributes during performance assessment grid (page 32) criteria. The final performance for assessment must be supervised by a teacher and must be performed in the academic year of certification. Assessment evidence The following evidence must be submitted for assessment with the teacher’s mark sheet and the signed Candidate record form. See Supervising and authenticating (page 35).

Programme note for the duet/trio performance Teachers must provide a Programme note (approximately 150 words) to support the assessment of the duet/trio. This must be submitted to AQA with the audio visual recording. The Programme note must include the following information: • the choreographic intent, eg the idea(s), theme(s), mood(s), meaning(s) and/or style/style fusion(s) of the dance • the phrases that have been used for each student in the creation of the piece • citations of title and musician/artist for any aural accompaniment used.

Audio visual recording of the performances For each student, the final presentation of the solo and duet/trio performances for assessment must be recorded with a single camera from an audience perspective, from start to finish and be unedited. The student being assessed must be identified on screen by name and candidate number. In the solo performance, students must name the set phrases they are performing at the start of the recording of their performance. Visit for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 23

Teachers must ensure they have followed the AQA guidance for audio visual recording Component 1 assessment evidence, available on the AQA website. Teachers must check the recording of the final performance for assessment of each student’s work, to ensure it meets the minimum content requirements. The audio visual recording of the live performance for assessment must be submitted to AQA for moderation by the specified deadline. Please note: If a Programme note is not submitted for assessment, the audio visual recording of the duet/trio performance will still be accepted as assessment evidence. However, this will compromise how clearly the evidence supports the mark awarded by the centre, meaning centre marks are more likely to be adjusted at moderation.

Assessment task 2: Choreography The choreography task is marked out of 40 marks. Students must demonstrate their creative response to a choice of one stimulus, from a prescribed task list set by AQA. The choreography must be a complete dance, including movement material and a selected aural setting, either as: • a solo dance of a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of two and a half minutes or • a group dance of a minimum of three minutes and a maximum of three and a half minutes for two to five dancers. If the student’s choreography is less than two minutes or more than two and a half minutes for a solo choreography, or less than three minutes or more than three and a half minutes for a group choreography, it will not be accepted as assessment evidence. Teachers must check the final performance for assessment of each student’s work, to ensure it meets the minimum and maximum duration requirements. The externally set task list is published by the 15 September of the academic year of certification. Please visit e-AQA to view the externally set task list for the year of study. Each student is required to select a single stimulus, from one of five options from the paper for which they have been entered. Students must be given the paper in its entirety; it must not be edited, changed or abridged in any way. Each year, the tasks will relate to the following types of stimuli: • • • • •

words, poem or a piece of text a photograph/image a prop, accessory or object a feature of the natural world an everyday activity or topical or historical event.

The choreography must address the content requirements specified in Choreography (page 15) and address the assessment objectives AO2. Each student must be marked individually within the piece performed using the criteria; please see Choreography assessment grid (40 marks) (page 33). This task is marked out of 40. The teacher must assess the student’s live performance of the choreography.

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Administering the choreography task For each student, teachers must ensure the following requirements are met in presenting the final performance of the choreography for assessment: • the student must have sufficient time to warm up before the final assessed performance • the final performance for assessment must be performed in a live setting which has been formally risk assessed and deemed safe • the final performance of the choreography for assessment must be under controlled supervised conditions • the dance created for the performance of the choreography assessment cannot be any that has been created to meet AO1 in the same series • together the performances must allow for full coverage of AO1 and relevant content in every series • each student must be wholly responsible for their own complete dance for final assessment • the live performance of the choreography that is assessed must be the one that is recorded • the live assessment of choreography must take place in the academic year of certification. The student is not required to perform in their choreographed dance but may do so if they wish. Dancers chosen to perform in their choreographed dance must be under 19 years of age at the time of the assessment. Marking the choreography task The student's choreography must be marked using the criteria specified in the Choreography assessment grid (40 marks) (page 33). The Choreography is marked out of 40. The final presentation of the choreography for assessment must be under the supervision of a teacher for authentication purposes and must be performed in the academic year of certification. Assessment evidence The following evidence must be submitted for assessment with the teacher’s mark sheet and the signed Candidate record form; please see Supervising and authenticating (page 35).

Programme note The student’s Programme note of approximately 120–150 words, which supports the assessment of the choreography must be given to the teacher/assessor at the start of the live performance assessment and submitted to AQA with the audio visual recording. The Programme note must include the following information: • the choice of the specific assessment stimulus to which the student responded and the specific stimulus (eg poem, painting etc) that the student used • a description of how the choreographic intent of the work eg the idea(s), theme(s), mood(s), meaning(s) and /or style/style fusion(s) of the dance was achieved • citations of title and musician/artist for any aural accompaniment used.

Audio visual recording of the final performance of choreography The final performance of choreography presented for assessment must be recorded with a single camera from an audience perspective, from start to finish and be unedited. The student being assessed must be identified on screen by name and candidate number at the start of the recording of the final performance for assessment.

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Teachers must ensure they have followed the AQA guidance for audio visual recording Component 1 assessment evidence, available on the AQA website. Teachers must check the final recording of each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choreography before submission to AQA to ensure it meets the minimum duration requirements. The audio-visual recording of the live performance for assessment must be submitted to AQA for moderation by the specified deadline. Please note: If a Programme note is not submitted for assessment, the audio visual recording of the final performance of choreography will still be accepted as assessment evidence. However, this will compromise how clearly the evidence supports the mark awarded by the centre, meaning centre marks are more likely to be adjusted at moderation.

Supervising students Teachers may provide guidance and sufficient support to students so that they are clear about the requirements of the tasks they need to undertake and the marking criteria on which the work will be assessed. Teachers may also provide guidance to students on the suitability of the response to the task, particularly if it means they will not meet the requirements of the marking criteria. Sufficient direct supervision must be provided to students to ensure that students' work can be confidently authenticated as their own. See also Non-exam assessment administration (page 35).

Component 2: Dance appreciation Written exam This component is the written exam paper of one and a half hours, set in the summer of the year of certification. The question paper has three sections and covers the assessment objectives AO3 and AO4. The exam will be marked out of 80. Section A AO3 relates to the knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes (page 15) and performing skills (page 11). Questions will relate to a given stimulus for students to write a response. Section B AO4 relates to the critical appreciation of own work (page 18). Questions will relate to studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own experience of performance, or choreography or both from within the course. Section C AO4 relates to the critical appreciation of professional works (page 18) and students will answer questions relating to the GCSE Dance Anthology. Students must be able to critically analyse, evaluate and identify similarities and differences and explain and justify their own opinions with reasoning. Please see aqa.org.uk/dance to see the complete anthology for study. Examiners reports and mark schemes for the question paper set for the year of entry will be available on the e-AQA secure site in the August following the examination.

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4.3 Assessment objectives Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all GCSE Dance specifications and all exam boards. The assessments will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives. • AO1: Perform dance, reflecting choreographic intention through physical, technical and expressive skills. • AO2: Create dance, including movement material and aural setting, to communicate choreographic intention. • AO3: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills. • AO4: Critically appreciate own works and professional works, through making analytical, interpretative and evaluative judgements.

Assessment objective weightings for GCSE Dance Component weightings (approx %)

Assessment objectives (AOs)

Overall weighting (approx %)

Component 1 Component 2 AO1

AO2

AO3

AO4

100

Overall weighting of components

4.4 Assessment weightings The marks awarded on the papers will be scaled to meet the weighting of the components. Students’ final marks will be calculated by adding together the scaled marks for each component. Grade boundaries will be set using this total scaled mark. The scaling and total scaled marks are shown in the table below. Component

Maximum raw mark

Scaling factor

Maximum scaled mark

Performance and choreography

240

Dance appreciation

160

Total scaled mark:

400

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4.5 Assessment grids 4.5.1 Level of response marking instructions Level of response mark schemes are broken down into mark bands, each of which has a descriptor. The descriptor indicates the quality that will be expected in the student’s evidence for that mark band.

Identifying the correct mark band The work must be assessed against each criterion separately. Start at the lowest mark band and see whether the evidence meets the descriptor for that mark band. If it meets the lowest mark band then go to the next one and decide if it meets this mark band, and so on, until you have a match between the mark band descriptor and the students’ evidence. With practice and familiarity you will find that for better responses you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels/marks of the mark scheme.

Duet/trio performance and choreography assessment grids Duet/trio and choreography assessment grids have two marks within each mark band. Once you have identified the correct mark band (as above), you need to decide which mark to allocate within the band. The lower mark indicates that the student has just met the requirement described in the band, the upper mark indicates that the evidence is clear but that the student has not quite met the requirements set out in the next mark band.

Determine an overall mark The marks for each criteria need to be added up to determine the final overall mark for the individual performance/choreography. For performance, marks for solo, duet/trio and mental skills and attributes also need to be added up to derive an overall mark out of 40.

4.5.2 Marking to the correct standard Online exemplification materials are provided on e-AQA with written commentaries which explain how the marks have been awarded. To ensure you use the assessment criteria grids correctly and mark to the correct standard: • access the online exemplification materials provided before you mark your own students' work • ensure a senior dance representative from your school, with responsibility for conducting internal standardisation, completes online standardisation.

4.5.3 Component 1: Performance and choreography Solo performance (12 marks) Students must be assessed on their ability to demonstrate: • physical skills and attributes safely during performance • technical skills accurately and safely during performance • expressive skills in reproducing the content of the chosen two set phrases.

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Duet/trio performance (24 marks) Students must be assessed on their ability to demonstrate: • physical skills and attributes safely during performance • technical skills accurately and safely during performance • expressive skills reflecting the choreographic intent of the duet/trio performance.

Mental skills and attributes during performance (4 marks) Students must be assessed on their mental skills and attributes during the solo and the duet/trio performances.

Choreography (40 marks) Students must be assessed on their ability to creatively and effectively select and use the following, as relevant to their choreographic intent: • • • • •

action and dynamic content spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) structuring devices and form choreographic devices aural setting (and performance environment where appropriate).

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Exceptional ability to demonstrate physical Exceptional ability to demonstrate skills and attributes safely. technical skills accurately and safely.

Highly developed ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely.

Sound ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely.

Limited ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely.

Nothing worthy of credit.

Limited ability to demonstrate technical skills accurately and safely.

Sound ability to demonstrate technical skills accurately and safely.

Highly developed ability to demonstrate technical skills accurately and safely.

Demonstration of physical skills and Demonstration of technical skills attributes safely to reproduce set phrases accurately and safely to reproduce set phrases

Marks

Limited ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Sound ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Highly developed ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Exceptional ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Demonstration of expressive skills to reproduce set phrases

For the list of knowledge, understanding and skills to be assessed, please refer to the subject content for Performance (page 11).

Solo performance assessment grid (12 marks)

Nothing worthy of credit.

2 Clear Limited ability to demonstrate physical skills Limited ability to demonstrate technical and attributes safely. skills accurately and safely. 1 Just

Sound ability to demonstrate technical skills Sound ability to demonstrate expressive accurately and safely. skills.

4 Clear Sound ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely. 3 Just

Limited ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Highly developed ability to demonstrate expressive skills.

Highly developed ability to demonstrate technical skills accurately and safely.

Demonstration of expressive skills to reflect choreographic intent

6 Clear Highly developed ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely. 5 Just

Demonstration of technical skills accurately and safely to reflect choreographic intent Exceptional ability to demonstrate technical Exceptional ability to demonstrate skills accurately and safely. expressive skills.

Demonstration of physical skills and attributes safely to reflect choreographic intent

8 Clear Exceptional ability to demonstrate physical skills and attributes safely. 7 Just

Marks

For the list of knowledge, understanding and skills to be assessed, please refer to the subject content for Performance (page 11).

Duet/trio performance assessment grid (24 marks)

AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

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Exceptional demonstration of mental skills and attributes

Highly developed demonstration of mental skills and attributes

Sound demonstration of mental skills and attributes

Limited demonstration of mental skills and attributes

Nothing worthy of credit.

Demonstration of mental skills and attributes during the performances

Marks

For the list of knowledge, understanding and skills to be assessed, please refer to the subject content for Performance (page 11).

Mental skills and attributes during performance assessment grid (4 marks)

Selection and use of action and dynamic content is exceptionally creative and effective, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of action and dynamic content is highly creative and effective, demonstrating a coherent understanding of choreography.

8 Clear

6 Clear

5 Just

7 Just

Selection and use of appropriate action and dynamic content to realise choreographic intent

Marks

Selection and use of structuring devices and form is exceptionally creative and effective, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of structuring devices and form is highly creative and effective, demonstrating a coherent understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) is highly creative and effective, demonstrating a coherent understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of appropriate structuring devices and form to realise choreographic intent

Selection and use of spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) is exceptionally creative and effective, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of appropriate spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) to realise choreographic intent

Selection and use of choreographic devices is highly creative and effective, demonstrating a coherent understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of choreographic devices is exceptionally creative and effective, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of aural setting (and performance environment where appropriate) is highly creative and effective, demonstrating a coherent understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of aural setting (and performance environment where appropriate) is exceptionally creative and effective, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of Selection and use of appropriate appropriate aural choreographic devices to setting (and realise choreographic performance intent environment where appropriate) to realise choreographic intent

For the list of knowledge, understanding and skills to be assessed, please refer to the subject content for Choreography (page 15).

Choreography assessment grid (40 marks)

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Selection and use of action and dynamic content is moderately creative and effective, demonstrating a sound understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of action and dynamic content shows limited creativity and effectiveness, demonstrating a simplistic understanding of choreography.

Nothing worthy of credit.

4 Clear

2 Clear

1 Just

3 Just

Selection and use of appropriate action and dynamic content to realise choreographic intent

Marks

Selection and use of structuring devices and form is moderately creative and effective, demonstrating a sound understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of structuring devices and form shows limited creativity and effectiveness, demonstrating a simplistic understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) shows limited creativity and effectiveness, demonstrating a simplistic understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of appropriate structuring devices and form to realise choreographic intent

Selection and use of spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) is moderately creative and effective, demonstrating a sound understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of appropriate spatial content (and relationship content where appropriate) to realise choreographic intent

Selection and use of choreographic devices shows limited creativity and effectiveness, demonstrating a simplistic understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of choreographic devices is moderately creative and effective, demonstrating a sound understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of aural setting (and performance environment where appropriate) shows limited creativity and effectiveness, demonstrating a simplistic understanding of choreography.

Selection and use of aural setting (and performance environment where appropriate) is moderately creative and effective, demonstrating a sound understanding of choreography.

AQA GCSE Dance 8236. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.0 14 March 2016

5 Non-exam assessment administration The non-exam assessment (NEA) for this specification is performance and choreography. Visit aqa.org.uk/8236 for detailed information about all aspects of NEA administration. The head of the school or college is responsible for making sure that NEA is conducted in line with our instructions and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) instructions.

5.1 Supervising and authenticating To meet Ofqual’s qualification criteria and conditions, the requirements set out in Assessment components (page 22) of the specification must be adhered to. Evidence of authentication for each student must include: • a Candidate record form (CRF), signed by the student and their teacher to confirm that all the student’s Non-exam assessment (NEA) evidence submitted is their own work and was conducted under the conditions laid down by this specification • video recordings of each student’s performance/choreography, which identify the student by name and candidate number. Students must have sufficient direct supervision to ensure that the work submitted can be confidently authenticated as their own. This means that you must review the progress of work during its production to see how it develops. Any work produced without supervision, for example outside of the classroom, should be compared to work produced with supervision. In comparing the student's work, consideration must be given to the consistency in levels of skill demonstrated. Work that cannot be confidently authenticated must not be included in the student's submission. You are required to provide details of the support the student received on the CRF and sign the authentication statement. If the statement is not signed, we cannot accept the student’s work for assessment.

5.2 Submitting NEA evidence and marks to AQA You must send all your students NEA evidence (set out in Supervising and authenticating (page 35) and Assessment components (page 22)) and marks to AQA for moderation by the specified date given at aqa.org.uk/keydates You must show clearly how marks have been awarded against the assessment criteria in this specification. Your comments will help the moderator to see, as precisely as possible, where you think the students have met the assessment criteria. You must: • record your comments on the CRF • check that the correct marks are written on the CRF and that the total is correct.

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The moderator re-marks a sample of the evidence and compares this with the marks you have provided to check whether any changes are needed to bring the marking in line with our agreed standards. Any changes to marks will normally keep your rank order but, where major inconsistencies are found, we reserve the right to change the rank order.

5.3 Avoiding malpractice Please inform your students of the AQA regulations concerning malpractice. They must not: • • • •

submit work that is not their own lend work to other students allow other students access to, or use of, their own independently-sourced source material include work copied directly from books, the internet or other sources without acknowledgement • submit work that is word-processed by a third person without acknowledgement • include inappropriate, offensive or obscene material. These actions constitute malpractice and a penalty will be given (for example, disqualification). If you identify malpractice before the student signs the declaration of authentication, you don’t need to report it to us. Please deal with it in accordance with your school or college’s internal procedures. We expect schools and colleges to treat such cases very seriously. If you identify malpractice after the student has signed the declaration of authentication, the head of your school or college must submit full details of the case to us at the earliest opportunity. Please complete the form JCQ/M1, available from the JCQ website at jcq.org.uk You must record details of any work which is not the student’s own on the front of the assessment booklet or other appropriate place. You should consult your exams officer about these procedures.

5.4 Teacher standardisation We will provide support for using the marking criteria and developing appropriate tasks through teacher standardisation. For further information about teacher standardisation visit our website at aqa.org.uk/8236 In the following situations teacher standardisation is essential. We will send you an invitation to complete teacher standardisation if: • moderation from the previous year indicates a serious misinterpretation of the requirements • a significant adjustment was made to the marks in the previous year • your school or college is new to this specification. For further support and advice please speak to your adviser. Email your subject team at aqadance@aqa.org.uk for details of your adviser.

5.5 Internal standardisation You must ensure that you have consistent marking standards for all students. One person must manage this process and they must sign the Centre declaration sheet to confirm that internal standardisation has taken place.

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Internal standardisation may involve: • all teachers marking some sample pieces of work to identify differences in marking standards • discussing any differences in marking at a training meeting for all teachers involved • referring to reference and archive material, such as previous work or examples from our teacher standardisation.

5.6 Factors affecting individual students For advice and guidance about arrangements for any of your students, please email us as early as possible at eos@aqa.org.uk Occasional absence: you should be able to accept the occasional absence of students by making sure they have the chance to make up what they have missed. You may organise an alternative supervised session for students who were absent at the time you originally arranged. Lost work: if work is lost you must tell us how and when it was lost and who was responsible, using our special consideration online service at aqa.org.uk/eaqa Special help: where students need special help which goes beyond normal learning support, please use the CRF to tell us so that this help can be taken into account during moderation. Students who move schools: students who move from one school or college to another during the course sometimes need additional help to meet the requirements. How you deal with this depends on when the move takes place. If it happens early in the course, the new school or college should be responsible for the work. If it happens late in the course, it may be possible to arrange for the moderator to assess the work as a student who was ‘Educated Elsewhere’.

5.7 School and college consortia If you are in a consortium of schools or colleges with joint teaching arrangements (where students from different schools and colleges have been taught together but entered through the school or college at which they are on roll), you must let us know by: • filling in the Application for Centre Consortium Arrangements for centre-assessed work, which is available from the JCQ website jcq.org.uk • appointing a consortium co-ordinator who can speak to us on behalf of all schools and colleges in the consortium. If there are different co-ordinators for different specifications, a copy of the form must be sent in for each specification. We will allocate the same moderator to all schools and colleges in the consortium and treat the students as a single group for moderation.

5.8 After moderation We will give you the final marks when the results are issued. You will also receive a report when the results are issued, which will give feedback on the appropriateness of the tasks set, interpretation of the marking criteria and how students performed in general. We may need to use some of your students’ work to meet Ofqual requirements for awarding, archiving or standardisation purposes. Students' work will not be returned unless you specifically request it.

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6 General administration You can find information about all aspects of administration, as well as all the forms you need, at aqa.org.uk/examsadmin

6.1 Entries and codes You only need to make one entry for each qualification – this will cover all the question papers, non-exam assessment and certification. Every specification is given a national discount (classification) code by the Department for Education (DfE), which indicates its subject area. If a student takes two specifications with the same discount code: • further and higher education providers are likely to take the view that they have only achieved one of the two qualifications • only one of them will be counted for the purpose of the School and College Performance tables – the DfE's rules on 'early entry' will determine which one. Please check this before your students start their course. Qualification title

AQA entry code

DfE discount code

AQA GCSE in Dance

8236

TBC

This specification complies with: • • • •

Ofqual General conditions of recognition that apply to all regulated qualifications Ofqual GCSE qualification level conditions that apply to all GCSEs Ofqual GCSE subject level conditions that apply to all GCSEs in this subject all other relevant regulatory documents.

The Ofqual qualification accreditation number (QAN) is 601/8549/1.

6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications There are no overlaps with any other AQA qualifications at this level.

6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results The qualification will be graded on a nine-point scale: 1 to 9 – where 9 is the best grade. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for grade 1 will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a qualification certificate.

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6.4 Re-sits and shelf life Students can re-sit the qualification as many times as they wish, within the shelf life of the qualification.

6.5 Previous learning and prerequisites There are no previous learning requirements. Any requirements for entry to a course based on this specification are at the discretion of schools and colleges.

6.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion General qualifications are designed to prepare students for a wide range of occupations and further study. Therefore our qualifications must assess a wide range of competences. The subject criteria have been assessed to see if any of the skills or knowledge required present any possible difficulty to any students, whatever their ethnic background, religion, sex, age, disability or sexuality. If any difficulties were encountered, the criteria were reviewed again to make sure that tests of specific competences were only included if they were important to the subject. As members of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) we participate in the production of the JCQ document Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments: General and Vocational qualifications. We follow these guidelines when assessing the needs of individual students who may require an access arrangement or reasonable adjustment. This document is published on the JCQ website at jcq.org.uk

6.6.1 Students with disabilities and special needs We can make arrangements for disabled students and students with special needs to help them access the assessments, as long as the competences being tested are not changed. Access arrangements must be agreed before the assessment. For example, a Braille paper would be a reasonable adjustment for a Braille reader but not for a student who does not read Braille. We are required by the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments to remove or lessen any disadvantage that affects a disabled student. If you have students who need access arrangements or reasonable adjustments, you can apply using the Access arrangements online service at aqa.org.uk/eaqa

6.6.2 Special consideration We can give special consideration to students who have been disadvantaged at the time of the assessment through no fault of their own â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for example a temporary illness, injury or serious problem such as the death of a relative. We can only do this after the assessment. Your exams officer should apply online for special consideration at aqa.org.uk/eaqa For more information and advice about access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special consideration please see aqa.org.uk/access or email accessarrangementsqueries@aqa.org.uk

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6.7 Working with AQA for the first time If your school or college has not previously offered any AQA specification, you need to register as an AQA centre to offer our specifications to your students. Find out how at aqa.org.uk/ becomeacentre

6.8 Private candidates This specification is available to private candidates, under condition that: • candidates attend an AQA school or college which will supervise and assess the production of non-exam assessment evidence • any other requirements concerning the administration of non-exam assessments contained within this specification are met. A private candidate is someone who enters for exams through an AQA-approved school or college but is not enrolled as a student there. A private candidate may be self-taught, home-schooled or have private tuition, either with a tutor or through a distance learning organisation. You must be based in the UK. If you have any queries as a private candidate, you can: • speak to the exams officer at the school or college where you intend to take your exams • visit our website at aqa.org.uk/privatecandidates • email: privatecandidates@aqa.org.uk

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Get help and support Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at You can talk directly to the Dance subject team: E: aqadance@aqa.org.uk T: 01483 437 750

aqa.org.uk Copyright ÂŠ 2018 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. AQA retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, schools and colleges registered with AQA are permitted to copy material from this specification for their own internal use. AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.